Financial oversight, public works infrastructure, emergency services funding, and several community facility improvements dominated discussion at the February 9 Wykoff City Council meeting. Mayor Ryan Breckenridge presided over the meeting, joined by council members Jeff Hare, Barb Fate, Jane Baker, and Missy Musel. City Administrator Becky Schmidt was also present. The … [Read more...]
Chatfield Comprehensive Plan
At the February 9 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, a public hearing was held on the 2025 updates to the city’s comprehensive plan. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. The 2015 Comprehensive Plan has been updated. The plan is designed to shape land use development over the next two decades through 2045. Alison Bentley, community development director, listed some … [Read more...]
Rushford Offers Administrator Position to Candidate
The Rushford City Council opted to interview its city administrator candidate in an open setting at the February 9 meeting. Rushford native Hayden Stensgard sat in the hot seat while Mayor Leigh Volkman asked a series of questions submitted by the council and reviewed for legality by the city attorney. Having grown up in the community, graduating from Rushford-Peterson … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board Revisits the Veterans’ Memorial Proposal
At the February 11, 2026 meeting school board meeting, board members David Sovinski, Josh Thompson, Tom Keefe, Jill Harstad and Mark Johnsrud were present. Katie Priebe was absent. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, elementary principal, Shane McBroom; Dan Schindler, activities director; and student senate representatives Jorja Fishbaugher and Kyla … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Man Loses Thousands in Sophisticated “Grandparent Scam”
A Fillmore County resident from Lanesboro is sharing his experience after losing thousands of dollars in a sophisticated phone scam that impersonated a family member and exploited fear, urgency, and trust. The man, who is nearing 90 years old and asked not to be identified, said the scam began with a phone call that sounded exactly like his granddaughter. “She said, … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Semester Tests – Pro and Con
The semester test policy was a focus at the regular Lanesboro School Board February 11 as three speakers at the public input period spoke about them and the board had set aside time to discuss the policy. Stena Lieb, an art teacher at Lanesboro and a parent of several students spoke first. Lieb declared, “I dislike the semester tests – as a matter of fact, I abhor them!” … [Read more...]
Houston’s Momsen Uses Sabbatical Wisely
Teacher Marty Momsen visited the February 5 Houston School Board meeting to share how he used his sabbatical last year. After teaching for 25 years, Momsen became a student again at age 50 to take the journey to become EMT certified and able to teach an EMT class. Momsen has been an EMT for four years and works at Winona Ambulance as well. His first hour EMT class at Houston … [Read more...]
Working Hard for Caledonia
Mayor Jeremy Leis praised City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson and Public Works & Zoning Director Casey Klug for their leadership and negotiation skills at the February 9 city council meeting. Mayor Leis called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members in attendance included Amanda Ninneman, John Rauk, David Fitpatrick, and Mayor … [Read more...]
Big Cuts at the Sawmill
In January 2025, the Fillmore County Journal published a story in the annual Progress Edition titled “Root River Hardwoods’ 46-year Journey,” celebrating the growth of the company from humble beginnings. Right after the story appeared in the newspaper, it was announced that Root River Hardwoods, with locations in Preston, Minn., and Albert Lea, Minn., was sold to a company … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Offers Free Paint For Community Projects
OWATONNA, MN, February 3, 2026 - Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is currently accepting applications for free paint and coating products for community mural, community welcome sign, historic structure or public art projects or to refresh public spaces in preparation for significant community milestone celebrations through its Paint the Town Grant program. This … [Read more...]